What is LGBT Inclusivity and the Getting it Right program?
Getting it Right: Creating an LGBT Inclusive Organization is a program of Connecticut Community Care supported with funding from the John H. and Ethel G. Noble Charitable Trust. The program works with aging service providers such as home care and facility-based providers to create welcoming and intentionally inclusive services for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) clients and families. We provide an integrated set of resources to Getting it Right (GIR) providers. These include training and other best practice resources. GIR begins with the premise that intentional inclusion means proactive practices that go beyond current standards and policies of non-discrimination.
Getting it Right recognizes that program implementation is not a “one size fits all” matter. Content knowledge must be integrated into specific organizational practices to ensure new knowledge is sustained. Mechanisms for knowledge transfer must also be integrated into ongoing operations. Thus GIR resources are made available to organizations with the expectation of customization to fit their circumstances.
Getting it Right is a “train the trainer” model. We train organizational champions who are then charged with training other direct service staff. GIR provides these training resources to the provider agency.
Below is a list of providers who have been certified as LGBT inclusive:
Connecticut Community Care
Bristol, CT
Care Services:
Care Management
GIR Certification Level:
Advanced, Fall 2016
Provider Contact:
Sherry Ostrout
Director, Government Initiatives
860-314-2224
JFS Care at Home,
LLC
West Hartford, CT
jfscareathome.org
Care Services:
In-home Care
GIR Certification Level:
Advanced, Feb. 2018
Provider Contact:
Patricia Kiely
MA Gerontology, Director
860-233-4470 ext. 4
Jewish Family
Services
West Hartford, CT
jfshartford.org
Care services:
Counseling
GIR Certification Level:
Advanced, Feb. 2018
Provider Contact:
Nancy Lichtenberg
LCSW
860-236-1927 ext. 7116
Brookdale
Senior Living
South Windsor, CT
brookdale.com
Care Services:
Assisted Living,
Memory Care
GIR Certification Level:
Advanced, Oct. 2018
Provider Contact:
Tom Gaccione
Director
860-644-4408
McLean Home Care
& Hospice
Simsbury, CT
mcleancare.org
Care Services:
Skilled Home Health,
Hospice
GIR Certification Level:
Advanced, Apr. 2019
Provider Contact:
Peggy Coburn
MPH, Administrator
860-658-3950 ext. 8273
Thrive at Home
with Whitney Center
Hamden, CT
thriveathome.org
Care Services:
In-home and Facility-based Care, 24/7 Coordination
GIR Certification Level:
Advanced, May 2019
Provider Contact:
Michelle Pandolfi
Executive Director
203-848-2626
Certification Requirements:
1. The organization has implemented LGBT inclusivity training using training content and staff coverage that are appropriate for its purpose and organizational structure.
The Getting it Right program provides training for the organizational trainers (train the trainers) as well as a training product they can use for direct service staff. GIR will also recognize trainings from other relevant sources such as SAGE.
2. The organization has developed and implemented Welcoming Practices for LGBT Clients/Family Members/Community.
- The organization “comes out” after training staff and implementing other best practices.
The organization has implemented at least one document that is given to all potential clients/family members, that signals the organization’s LGBT inclusion practices and values. A GIR standard flyer is available for GIR participating organizations. An LGBT person must not have to come out to find out if the organization will welcome them.
- The organization has prepared its staff to communicate its inclusive values.
Staff members understand the importance of both confidentiality and when and with whom to share information. The goal of intentional inclusion - which depends on client disclosure- is to enhance the service experience for LGBT clients and families.
3. The organization has created sustainability and staff support structures.
The organization has designated one or more staff members as LGBT point person(s) to respond to staff questions and concerns and provide guidance to them. This “go to” person is designated to address concerns and questions related to LGBT inclusivity within the appropriate organizational and industry standards and frameworks.
Want to know more?
Contact our office:
communications@ctcommunitycare.org
860-314-2933
